Ice maker ice discharge structure

Abstract

An ice block delivery structure of an ice maker, comprising an ice storage tank and an ice block delivery mechanism arranged on the ice storage tank, the ice storage tank having an ice delivery opening, and the ice block delivery mechanism being capable of pushing the ice blocks in the ice storage tank to the ice delivery opening, characterized in that the ice storage tank extends downward at the ice delivery opening position to form a pre-storage ice bin, the bottom of the pre-storage ice bin forms an ice delivery port, and the bottom of the pre-storage ice bin is provided with a shutter capable of opening and closing the ice delivery port. Through the combined design of the pre-storage ice bin and the fast-responding shutter, the pre-stored ice blocks are directly released, and the ice blocks immediately fall after the user presses the button. The waiting time of the user when taking ice is eliminated, and the ice is immediately delivered after pressing; after taking ice, the shutter quickly closes, completely blocking the residual ice blocks from falling after stopping taking ice.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to an ice maker, and in particular to the design of an ice block output structure for the ice maker. Background Technology

[0002] Ice makers generally consist of an ice-making mechanism and an ice-dispensing mechanism. The ice-making mechanism is used to make ice cubes, and the ice-dispensing mechanism is used to dispense the ice cubes. When the user presses the ice dispensing button, the ice cube conveying mechanism slowly pushes the ice cubes to the ice outlet of the ice storage tank. The user needs to wait for the ice cubes to be conveyed completely, and there will be a delay in dispensing. When ice dispensing is stopped, the ice cube conveying mechanism stops operating, but the ice cubes that have been conveyed to the ice outlet will still fall to the outside due to the lack of a physical blocking mechanism, causing residue problems.

[0003] Therefore, existing ice makers have the following shortcomings: First, ice dispensing is delayed, requiring users to wait and affecting the user experience. Second, after ice dispensing stops, residual ice cannot be recycled and will still fall, leading to waste or cleaning problems. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide an ice dispensing structure for an ice maker that dispenses ice quickly and without any residual ice falling out, in light of the above-mentioned technical situation.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: an ice dispensing structure for an ice maker, including an ice storage tank and an ice block conveying mechanism disposed on the ice storage tank. The ice storage tank has an ice outlet, and the ice block conveying mechanism can push the ice blocks in the ice storage tank to the ice outlet. The ice storage tank has a pre-stored ice compartment extending downward at the ice outlet position. The bottom of the pre-stored ice compartment forms an ice dispensing port, and the bottom of the pre-stored ice compartment is provided with a baffle that can open and close the ice dispensing port.

[0006] Furthermore, one side of the baffle is rotatably mounted at the bottom of the pre-stored ice compartment, and a driver is provided on the outer wall of the pre-stored ice compartment. The power output end of the driver is connected to one side of the baffle, thereby driving the baffle to open or close relative to the ice outlet port.

[0007] The pre-stored ice compartment is equipped with a photoelectric sensor on its side wall, which is linked to the actuator. The photoelectric sensor can detect whether the cup is in place in real time. If the cup is detected to have moved, the system will forcibly close the baffle and stop dispensing ice to prevent ice from falling to the outside.

[0008] Furthermore, the ice outlet of the pre-stored ice compartment is arranged at an angle, and a drain outlet is provided at a low position near the ice outlet. When the baffle closes the ice outlet, the bottom of the pre-stored ice compartment is inclined.

[0009] Preferably, the ice conveying mechanism includes an ice-discharging motor and a screw rod located at the power output end of the ice-discharging motor. The screw rod is helical and can push the ice blocks laterally while rotating.

[0010] The pre-stored ice compartment is equipped with an infrared sensor near its upper end, which is linked to the ice dispensing motor. The infrared sensor includes an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver. The infrared sensor monitors the amount of ice stored in the pre-stored ice compartment in real time. When the storage is insufficient, it triggers the ice dispensing motor to automatically replenish ice, ensuring that ice is replenished as needed.

[0011] Furthermore, the ice storage tank has an inclined ice outlet channel, the spiral rod is located in the ice outlet channel, and the ice outlet is opened at a high position in the ice outlet channel, which can ensure that there is no residual ice at the ice outlet.

[0012] Furthermore, a sealing strip is provided on the outer periphery of the baffle. When the baffle is closed at the ice outlet port, the aforementioned sealing strip maintains a sealed contact with the ice outlet port.

[0013] Preferably, the outer periphery of the baffle has a right-angled U-shaped groove, and the sealing strip is embedded in the groove and partially exposed.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of this utility model are as follows: through the combination design of the pre-stored ice compartment and the baffle, the pre-stored ice is released directly, so that the ice falls immediately after the user presses the button, eliminating the waiting time when the user takes ice and realizing instant ice dispensing; after the ice is taken, the baffle closes quickly, completely preventing the residual ice from falling after the ice is taken. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure from another perspective of the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional sectional view.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing the state after the baffle is opened in the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 5 This is an assembly diagram of the baffle and sealing strip in the embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0021] like Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the ice dispensing structure of the ice maker in this embodiment includes an ice storage tank 1, an ice block conveying mechanism 2 and a driver 4 disposed on the ice storage tank. The ice storage tank 1 has an ice outlet 11. The ice block conveying mechanism 2 can push the ice blocks in the ice storage tank 1 to the ice outlet 11. The ice storage tank 1 has an inclined ice dispensing channel 12. The spiral rod 22 is located in the ice dispensing channel 12. The ice outlet 11 is opened at the high position of the ice dispensing channel 12.

[0022] The ice storage tank 1 extends downward from the ice outlet 11 to a pre-stored ice chamber 3. The bottom of the pre-stored ice chamber 3 forms an ice outlet port 31. The bottom of the pre-stored ice chamber 3 is provided with a baffle 5 that can open and close the ice outlet port 31.

[0023] A baffle 5 is rotatably mounted on one side of the bottom of the pre-stored ice compartment 3. A driver 4 is provided on the outer wall of the pre-stored ice compartment 3. The power output end of the driver 4 is connected to one side of the baffle 5, thereby driving the baffle 5 to open or close relative to the ice outlet port 31. In this embodiment, the driver 4 can be a motor or a module consisting of a motor and a simple speed-changing mechanism with a motor transmission chain.

[0024] The ice outlet 31 of the pre-stored ice compartment 3 is arranged at an angle, and a drain outlet is provided at a low position near the ice outlet 31. When the baffle 5 closes the ice outlet 31, the bottom of the pre-stored ice compartment 3 is inclined.

[0025] The ice conveying mechanism 2 includes an ice dispensing motor 21 and a screw rod 22 located at the power output end of the ice dispensing motor 21. An infrared sensor, linked to the ice dispensing motor 21, is located near the upper end of the pre-storage ice bin 3. The infrared sensor includes an infrared transmitter 35 and an infrared receiver 36. The infrared sensor continuously monitors the ice storage level in the pre-storage ice bin. When the storage level is insufficient, it triggers the ice dispensing motor to automatically replenish ice, ensuring that ice is replenished as needed.

[0026] The side wall of the pre-stored ice compartment 3 is equipped with a photoelectric sensor 32 that is linked to the actuator 4. The photoelectric sensor can detect whether the cup is in place in real time. If the cup is detected to have moved, the system will forcibly close the baffle and stop dispensing ice to prevent ice from falling to the outside.

[0027] Combination Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, a sealing strip 6 is provided on the outer periphery of the baffle 5. When the baffle 5 is closed to the ice outlet port 31, the sealing strip 6 maintains a sealed contact with the ice outlet port 31. In this embodiment, the outer periphery of the baffle 5 has a right-angled U-shaped groove 51, and the sealing strip 6 is embedded in the groove 51 and partially exposed.

[0028] Eliminate the waiting time for users to dispense ice, allowing ice to be dispensed instantly with a single press; completely prevent residual ice from falling after dispensing is stopped; monitor the ice storage capacity in real time and automatically replenish ice; and prevent ice from falling after the user removes the cup through a cup-body detection linkage. The design combines a pre-stored ice compartment with a fast-response sealing baffle to directly release pre-stored ice, with a pre-positioned spiral conveyor system ensuring ice falls immediately after the user presses the button.

[0029] The actuator can drive the baffle, which opens instantly when the user takes ice, allowing the ice to fall freely into the cup. The response time is less than 0.5 seconds, completely eliminating waiting delay. When the baffle is closed, the sealing strip seals with the bottom of the pre-stored ice compartment to prevent leakage of melted ice. The pre-stored ice compartment is designed with a slight tilt angle to guide melted ice water out from the lowest drain outlet, avoiding water accumulation.

[0030] When the user stops dispensing ice or the pre-stored ice compartment is depleted, the actuator immediately closes the baffle, physically blocking the path of the ice and preventing any residue from falling out. The photoelectric sensor-linked control provides a dual safety mechanism: the baffle closure and cup detection work together to reliably stop ice dispensing even in case of user error or abnormal conditions.

Claims

1. An ice-discharging structure for an ice maker, comprising an ice storage tank (1) and an ice block conveying mechanism (2) disposed on the ice storage tank, wherein the ice storage tank (1) has an ice outlet (11), and the ice block conveying mechanism (2) is capable of pushing ice blocks in the ice storage tank (1) to the ice outlet (11), characterized in that... The ice storage tank (1) has a pre-stored ice chamber (3) extending downward from the ice outlet (11). The bottom of the pre-stored ice chamber (3) forms an ice outlet port (31), and the bottom of the pre-stored ice chamber (3) is provided with a baffle (5) that can open and close the aforementioned ice outlet port (31).

2. The ice-discharging structure of the ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that... The baffle (5) is rotatably mounted on one side of the pre-stored ice chamber (3). The pre-stored ice chamber (3) is provided with a driver (4) on its outer side wall. The power output end of the driver (4) is connected to one side of the baffle (5) so that the baffle (5) can be driven to open or close relative to the ice outlet port (31).

3. The ice-discharging structure of the ice maker according to claim 2, characterized in that... The pre-stored ice compartment (3) is equipped with a photoelectric sensor (32) that is linked to the driver (4) on its side wall.

4. The ice dispensing structure of the ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that... The ice outlet (31) of the pre-stored ice chamber (3) is arranged at an angle, and a drain outlet (33) is provided at a low position near the ice outlet (31). When the baffle (5) closes the ice outlet (31), the bottom of the pre-stored ice chamber (3) is inclined.

5. The ice-discharging structure of the ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that... The ice conveying mechanism (2) includes an ice-discharging motor (21) and a screw rod (22) located at the power output end of the ice-discharging motor (21).

6. The ice-discharging structure of the ice maker according to claim 5, characterized in that... The pre-stored ice compartment (3) is equipped with an infrared sensor near the upper end that is linked to the ice dispensing motor (21).

7. The ice-discharging structure of the ice maker according to claim 5, characterized in that... The ice storage tank (1) has an inclined ice outlet channel (12), the spiral rod (22) is located in the ice outlet channel (12), and the ice outlet (11) is opened at the high position of the ice outlet channel (12).

8. The ice-discharging structure of the ice maker according to claim 1, characterized in that... The outer periphery of the baffle (5) is provided with a sealing strip (6). When the baffle (5) closes the ice outlet port (31), the aforementioned sealing strip (6) maintains a sealed contact with the ice outlet port (31).

9. The ice-discharging structure of the ice maker according to claim 8, characterized in that... The outer periphery of the baffle (5) has a right-angled U-shaped groove (51), and the sealing strip (6) is embedded in the groove (51) and partially exposed.

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